1830: In Real Life

When I was a little girl, I remember vividly one of my first trips to Utah and Temple Square. I remember walking through the visitors center and being taken by the replica of the golden plates that were on display. I also remember seeing in a museum one of the original copies of the Book of Mormon behind glass and thinking to myself, "I want to just touch it... I really just want to touch it."

It is such a vivid memory of being a girl who in little girl terms was beginning to put significance to what the Book of Mormon meant. Little did I know then how the writings inside of it's pages would add to my life and set me on a path I've been enjoying for many years now.

Tonight, my little girl hopes of touching it came true. My words won't be sufficient, but the moment is forever in my mind, to be cherished and safe. I was in the home of a woman who has accomplished a lot in her life and is a church history lover and collector. As I was walking out the door to leave, I stopped in her front room to admire the art on the walls. I noticed on the mantle a book that was oddly shaped. When I picked it up, I realized it was actually a box made to look like a book. (Now, those who know me will not be surprised about the next part... especially that I had so much gumption) I opened the box and there it was. I took a quick double look, because never in my life did I think I would actually happen across such a find. But there it was! After slowly sitting down on the plush couch, and picking the book up out of the box, I opened it and knew in an instant that it was real. My hostess explained to me that it was indeed an original. In fact, the historians have identified it as one of the first 6 printed... Imagine, holding something so precious, and knowing Joseph had held it too!

To describe the moment is too hard... the pages felt like air. In real life~ I held something Joseph held~ in real life! What more can someone really say?